Adjustable table



A. ORSENIGO ADJUSTABLE May 24, 1938.

TABLE Filed oct. 1e, 1956 |s A -CRNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H Si ATTO R N EY lNVENToR Alfred Orseni May 24, 1938.

Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE 6 Claims.

My present invention relates to tables, or similar articles of furniture, and more particularly to an improved adjustable top table.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with library .or dining tables wherein it is desired ordinarily to have a relatively small table for the sake of conserving space in a room, and at stated intervals to have a relatively large table, where the -object may be to seat as many persons as possible without regard to the saving of space within the room.

In carrying out my invention, I utilize a secondary frame, and on which secondary frame the table top members are primarily carried. Not only are the table top members primarily carried on the secondary frame but preferably they are rotatably mounted thereon through an angle of 90 so as to bring the longer dimensions of such table top members into a position transverse to the longer dimension of the framework supported on the table legs. Preferably such secondary frame has a mounting for the table top member which permits such table top member to be rotated through the desired angle only after the secondary frame has been moved longitudinally of the main framework for a predetermined distance, such movement being necessary in order to allow the table top members to rotate with respect toy each other.

In one form of my invention not only are the table top members carried by the secondary frames above referred to, but in turn are pivotally mounted on sub-frames slidably mounted on the secondary frames and in a direction transverse to the direction of sliding movement of such sub-frames in the framework which is mounted on the table legs. The space between the side and end members of the framework carried by the table legs constitute a storage space for the extra leaves which are utilized to extend the normal area of the table top.

Further features will be apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable top table embodying one modication of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of the table shown in Fig. 1 and with the top elements separated from each other and with one of such table top elements rotated through an `angle of 90.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the table shown in 55 Figs. 1 an-d 2, partly in section, and showing the table top elements and additional leaves in operative position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a table such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and showing a different top arrangement from that shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of the same table as illustrated in the above figures and showing a different top arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on the line 6--6, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation partly in section of an adjustable top table showing a modification of my invention, an-d Fig. 9 is a plan view of the tab-le top structure shown in Fig. 7 and with certain parts thereof in adjustable or open position.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, ID designates the pedestal legs of a table, such legs being mounted on a foot structure Il, as shown, the legs I I) being spaced apart from each other and having mounted thereon a rectangular open framework I2, the dimensions of such framework being anything desired. The framework I2 is as stated above, an open framework and is rigid and inextensible. The longer pedestal leg supported element members of the rectangular framework I2 are provi-ded on their inner vertical faces with rabbets or grooves I3 which act as a guide or track for secondary frames I4, there being two such secondary frames I4, one at each end of the rectangular framework.

The rectangular framework I2 may be closed on the bottom by boards or other suitable members and thus the space within the open framework I2 constitutes a storage space in which is! ordinarily placed extra leaves 3| and may be of such depth that the extra leaves 3l can be used at one end thereof leaving the other end for storage purposes. As an example, the storage space enclosed by the open framework I2 may be lined with felt or plush and silverware and cutlery stored therein.

The upper surface of the secondary frames I4 lie substantially in the same plane as the upper face of the members of the rectangular, inextensible, framework I2. The rabbets or grooves I3 may be formed directly in the material of the said framework members of the rectangular frame I2, but preferably I arrange such rabbets or grooves I3 in the form of a longitudinal groove in a metallic member I5 set into the material of the framework members above referred to. Also,

the member of the secondary frame I4, which cooperates with the guides I 3, may be formed as an integral part of the secondary frame I4, but preferably is formed of a metallic strip IS, secured to the bottom face of the members of the secondary frame I4, by screws I1, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. '7, there is shown the side members of the secondary frame I4, connected at their central portion by a cross plate I8. The cross plate I8, on the end surface thereof, has attached thereto, in any suitable manner stops I9, which limit sliding movement in one direction of the secondary frame I4 with respect to the framework I2. On one edge of the plate I 8 is arranged a cutaway portion 20, to .the ends of which are secured the spring holding members 2|, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The center of the plate I8 is provided with a hole in which is secured a counter-bored bushing 22, and in which is axially mounted a shaft 23. The shaft 23 is threaded on its ends and provided with an adjusting nut 24 and locking nut 25, there being a coil spring 26 interposed between the bottom of the counterbore in the counterbored member 22, and the adjusting nut 24, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The shaft 23 is riveted to a circular plate 21 and lies substantially in the axis of such plate.

'Ihe circular plate 21 is attached by screws 28 to the under face of a table leaf member 29 and the under face of the circular member 21 is iiush with the under face of the table leaf member 29. Secured to the circular plate 21, at spaced points about the periphery of the under face are depending pins 3B which act as stops for limiting the rotation of the circular plate 21 on the axis 23. The pins 30 engage in, and are temporarily held by, the spring holding members 2|, so that the circular plate 21 will be held with the pin 30 engaging either one or the other of the spring holding members 2|, as clearly lshown in Fig. 7. The table leaves 29 will be held in the position shown in Fig. 1, or in the position shown in the upper right hand end of Fig. 2, where it will be noted that the table top 29 has been rotated through an angle of and now occupies a position transverse to the length of the framework I2.

In the normal position of the table, the leaf members 29 are placed end .to end and along the length of the framework I2, thereby making a relatively long and relatively narrow table, as shown in such figure. When, however, it is desired to make a larger table, the secondary frame I4 is moved along the rabbets or grooves I3, in the framework I2, from the position occupied in Fig. 1 to Vthe position as shown in plan view in Fig. 3. The table leaf members 29 are then rotated on the shaft 23 as a pivot into the position shown in the upper right hand corner of Fig. 2, and in the position shown in Fig. 3. The extra .table leaves 3| are now spaced in position on the framework I2 between the table leaf members 29. The dowel pins 32, in the under face of the extra leaves 3| engage with the dowel holes 33 formed in the side members of the framework I2. It will be apparent from the above, and from an inspection of Fig. 3, that .there has been produced by a transformation of the arrangement of the table leaf members 29 and the extra leaf members 3|, a table of which is of vastly greater size than is the original .table as illustrated in Fig. 1.

If it is desired, however, to transform the table of Fig. 1 into another size table, but not necessarily of a size shown in Fig. 3, one only of the extra leaves 3| may be employed, resulting in a table of .the size and form shown in Fig. 4. A still different size of table and arrangement of leaves is shown in Fig. 5, where one of the table leaves 29 extends transversely of the framework and the other table leaf 29 remains in its original position on the framework I2.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a modication of my invention and wherein the framework I2 is supported on the table legs I0, and there is a secon-dary frame 34 slidably mounted in the rabbets or grooves I3 of the framework I2 at each end of such framework I2, as shown in Fig. 8. The secondary frame 34 differs however, from the secondary frame I 4 as above described with reference to Figs, 1 and 7, inclusive, in that it has slidably mounted therein and transversely thereof a sub-frame 35 which slides in the trackway 36, formed in the sub-frame 34. The sub-frame 35 carries the pivotal mounting sleeve 22 for receiving the circular plate 21 attached to the lower face of the table leaves 31. The table leaf members 31 occupy a position on the framework I2 similar to the table leaf members 29 shown in Fig. 1. Attached to the table leaf members 31, by hinges 38, are table leaf members 39, equal in thickness and superficial dimensions to the thickness and superficial dimension to the table leaf members 31. This arrangement is such that when the table leaf members are in their normal position one face thereof is in engagement with one face of the table leaf members 31, so that in reality, as shown in Fig. 8, the table has as its real top one of the faces of the table leaf members 39.

When it is desired to extend the side of the table or transform the same from a relatively long and narrow table to a relatively long and broad table, the sub-frames 34 are moved outwardly toward the ends of the framework II a distance suiiicient to bring the track 36 in such sub-frames clear of the ends of the framework l2 as shown in Fig. 9. This makes it possible for the sub-frame 35 to be slid laterally of the secondary frame 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. From inspection of Fig. 9 it will be apparent that the pivotal mounting of the table leaves 31 on the second sub-frame 35 now lies adjacent to one of the longer edges of the framework I2. The table leaves 31 are now rotated and the table leaf 39 is swung on the hinges 38 to occupy the position shown in dot and dash lines in the upper right hand corner of Fig. 9. One or more extra table leaves 40, as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 9, may be employed to ll in the space between the adjacent ends of the table leaves 31 and 39, or any other arrangement such as has been described in Figs. 4 and 5 may be employed in this form of my invention.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An improved adjustable top table comprising, supporting legs, a rigid inextensible rectilinear framework mounted thereon, secondary frames slidably mounted in the rectangular framework and slidable toward and from each other, table leaf members independently pivotally mounted on the secondary frames, and said secondary frames slidably movable a sufficient distance toward the outer ends of the rectangular framework to permit the table leaves to be rotated on their pivot and to extend transversely of the length of the rectangular framework.

2. In an adjustable table, the combination of supporting legs, a rigid inextensible rectangular framework mounted thereon and comprising parallelly arranged side members and end members, a guideway on the inner face of each of the longitudinal members, secondary frames, one located at each end of the rectangular framework, means on said secondary framework cooperating with the guideways on the inner faces of the lo-ngitudinal members of the framework for constraining said secondary frames to move toward and from each other longitudinally of the rectangular framework, rectangular table leaves, one for each of the secondary frames and normally arranged endtoend along the length of the rectangular framework, means for independently pivotally mounting said table leaves on the secondary frames, and means for limiting the rotary movement of the table leaves with respect to the secondary frames in either direction.

3. In an improved adjustable top table, the combination of supporting legs, a rectangular framework mounted thereon, a secondary frame mounted on and slidable longitudinally cf the framework, a sub-frame slidably mounted on and transversely of the secondary frame and the framework, and a table leaf rotatably mounted on said sub-frame.

4. In an improvedl adjustable top table, the combination of supporting legs, a rectangular framework mounted thereon, a secondary frame mounted on and slidable longitudinally of the framework, a sub-frame slidably mounted on and transversely of the secondary frame and the framework, a table leaf rotatably mounted on said sub-frame, and means on said secondary frame for limiting the sliding movement of said secondary frame with respect to the framework for positioning the secondary frame to permit the sub-frame to be moved transversely thereof.

5. In an improved adjustable top table, the combination of supporting legs, a rigid inextensible rectangular framework mounted on the top thereof, guideways formed on the inner surface of the longitudinal members of the framework, a

secondary frame slidably mounted on the guideways and longitudinally of the framework, a subframe slidably mounted for transverse movement in and with respect to the secondary frame, a table leaf pivotally mounted on the sub-frame, said pivot point resting normally in the longitudinal axis of the framework, and means on the sub-frame for limiting the sliding movement of the sub-frame with respect to the secondary frame for positioning the pivot point substantially in alignment with one of the longitudinal members of the framework.

G. In an improved adjustable top table, the combination of supporting legs, a rigid inexten sible rectangular framework mounted thereon, guideways on the inner surface of the longitudinal members of the framework, secondary frames, one located at each end of the rectangular frame, and slidable on the guideways in said frame for movement toward and from each other, means on said secondary frames for limiting the outward sliding movement thereof with respect to the framework, a sub-frame for each of the secondary frames slidably mounted in a direction transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the secondary frames and normally occupying a position on the secondary frames to permit sliding movement of said secondary frames with respect to the framework, a table leaf pivotally mounted on the sub-frame and when in normal position resting on the top of the rectangular framework and symmetrical with respect thereto, the pivotal mounting of the table leaf being substantially in the geometric center of such leaf, an auxiliary table leaf hingedly mounted to the first said table leaf at one side thereof, means for limiting the transverse sliding movement of the sub-frame in position to bring the longitudinal edge of the first said table leaf in approximately the center of the rectangular framework whereby when the auxiliary table leaf is swung about its hinged mounting into the plane of the table leaf the combined table leaf and auxiliary table leaf are symmetrically arranged with respect to the rectangular framework.

ALFRED ORSENIGO. 

